In an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation, Viet Nam and China frankly discussed bilateral relations and issues relating to their territorial borders during two-day talks between Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son and his Chinese counterpart Zhang Zhijun which ended in Beijing on Feb. 28.
The two sides reached unanimity on implementation of high-ranking leaders’ common understanding as well as relevant agreements to maintain the exchange of high-ranking visits, deepen cooperation in various fields and solve appropriately existing issues, thus helping bilateral ties develop in a stable and wholesome manner, in the interest of the two peoples, for the sake of peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world.
The two sides agreed to closely coordinate to prepare for meetings between high-ranking leaders of the two countries in the coming time. They also agreed to hold the sixth session of the Viet Nam-China Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee in July or August this year.
The two sides agreed to enhance their coordination to conclude work on the List of key Cooperative Projects in order to effectively carry out the Viet Nam-China Five-Year Development Programme on Economic Commercial Cooperation signed in October last year. They share the determination to raise the two-way trade value to USD 60 billion in 2015 alongside improving the bilateral trade balance.
The two sides agreed to seriously implement signed agreements to jointly carry out land border management in an effective manner, thus contributing to maintaining safety and order in border areas. Both sides would make efforts to soon reach an Agreement on Free Movements of Vessels in the Bac Luan Estuary and Agreement on Cooperation and Exploitation of Tourism Potential in the Ban Gioc Waterfall Area.
The two sides shared the same view that serious implementation of the common understanding of the two countries’ high-ranking leaders as well as the Agreement on Basic Principles Guiding the Settlement of Maritime Issues between Viet Nam and China is of important significance for the maintenance of peace and stability in the East Sea and for the wholesome and steady development of bilateral relations. In this spirit, they agreed to embark in the following tasks:
1. To establish working groups at the department level to negotiate on the maritime delimitation outside the Bac Bo Gulf mouth and cooperate in joint development this area;
2. To establish working groups at the department level to cooperate in less sensitive area, including marine environmental protection, marine scientific research, search and rescue activities and mitigation of damage caused by natural calamities; and
3. To launch a hotline between the two foreign ministries to make timely exchanges and discussions for appropriate solutions for arising issues at sea.
The Vietnamese delegation was received by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Feb. 27.
Source: mofa.gov.vn